Seattle City Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) yesterday introduced legislation to allow workforce housing to be built near T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field to support the creation of a Stadium Makers’ District with mixed residential and light industrial uses. “It makes no sense to exclude housing from a downtown neighborhood that holds so much promise,” Council President Nelson said....
Sara Nelson
News Releases from Councilmember Nelson
Council President Nelson urges continued focus on public safety in 2025 after record number of bills passed in 2024
Noting the high number of public safety-related bills adopted by the Seattle City Council in 2024, today Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) welcomed incoming interim Chief of Police Shon Barnes to Seattle and urged a redoubling of city efforts on Seattle’s ongoing public safety challenges in the new year. In its first year, the new City Council adopted 14...
Seattle City Council announces process to fill council vacancy representing District 2
Application deadline: Jan. 9, 2025. City Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9 – Citywide) has announced the formal process to fill the vacancy after the resignation of Councilmember Tammy Morales (District 2), effective Jan. 6, 2025. “We look forward to hearing from and considering the leaders from District 2 who are willing to put themselves forward during this critical time for Seattle. This is...
Council President Sara Nelson’s statement on Councilmember Tammy Morales’ resignation effective January 6, 2025
City Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) released this statement on the resignation of Councilmember Tammy Morales (District 2), effective January 6, 2025: “I want to thank Councilmember Morales for her dedicated service to the constituents of District 2. We worked together to pass a number of important pieces of legislation that benefit the people of Seattle, and I wish...
City Council welcomes new councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck
Councilmember Rinck ceremonially sworn in by community member Sharon Maeda
Council adopts strong public safety budget with historic housing investments and additional accountability measures
Adopted 2025-2026 City Budget marks a major shift in tone Today the Seattle City Council voted 8-1 to adopt the 2025-2026 Biennial Budget and Capital Improvement Program along with several pieces of legislation necessary to implement the budget. The budget uses Payroll Expense Tax revenue in the JumpStart Fund to offset the $268 million operating deficit and minimize employee layoffs....
Council announces details on plans to save Seattle Channel programming, create plan for continued success
Seattle City Council PresidentSara Nelson and CouncilmemberDan Strauss (District 6, Chair of the Select Budget Committee) announced a two-pronged approach to restore full funding for the Seattle Channel and convene a workgroup of experts to suggest long-term solutions for its continued success. “The Seattle Channel needs sustainable and dedicated funding going forward and Seattle Channel employees and content providers need...
City of Seattle and King County Approve New Agreement to Streamline Governance Structure of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority
New structure creates one decision-making board to enhance coordination, oversight, and accountability Original post can be found here. Following votes from the Seattle City Council and King County Council, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell and King County Executive Dow Constantine will sign a revised interlocal agreement (ILA) to streamline the governance structure of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). The amended ILA reaffirms the...
City council approves police recruitment bonuses and technology for crime prevention tools
Bills part of the council’s coordinated focus on improving public safety Today the Seattle City Council overwhelmingly approved legislation, sponsored by Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9), to further accelerate police hiring by offering competitive bonuses to attract the new police recruits from across the country. The full Council also passed Councilmember Bob Kettle’s (District 7) sponsored legislation that clears...
Council President Nelson exploring ways to save Seattle Channel programming
Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) today announced that she’s working to preserve funding for the city’s Seattle Channel in response to last week’s release of Mayor Harrell’s proposed 2025-2026 Budget, which reduces Seattle Channel’s funding by $1.6 million and eliminates six full time employees. The city currently faces a $250 million deficit during the next budget cycle. “As a...
Council creates new music venue parking permit to support musicians and live music venues
Council President Sara Nelson (Position 9) on Tuesday applauded the unanimous passage of legislation that prioritizes parking for musicians and their crews at qualifying live music venues. The new Music Venue Zone Permit program was proposed by the Executive and sponsored by Council President Nelson after hearing consistent feedback from local artists about some of the logistical challenges of performing...
Seattle City Council passes legislation combatting commercial sexual exploitation
Today the Seattle City Council passed by an 8-1 vote Councilmember Cathy Moore’s (District 5) bill to fight commercial sexual exploitation and the violence associated with it. The legislation includes a prohibition on loitering for buying, selling or promoting prostitution, as well as a separate provision that allows a judge to issue a Stay Out of Area Prostitution (SOAP) order...